In the midst of a bustling NFL offseason, the Denver Broncos find themselves at a pivotal juncture with their general manager, George Paton, entering the final year of his contract. Paton, a seasoned executive, has been linked to the GM vacancy with the Minnesota Vikings, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the situation.
During the recent NFL Combine, Broncos head coach Sean Payton didn't hold back his support for Paton, advocating for a contract extension. "I have already," Payton remarked.
"It’s overdue. He and I have a great working relationship.
My job wouldn’t be as fun or as exciting if he wasn’t a part of it. That should be something that gets handled quickly.”
Greg Penner, the Broncos' majority owner and CEO, echoed similar sentiments, expressing a desire to keep both Paton and Payton with the team "long-term." However, despite these endorsements, no new deal has been finalized yet.
Paton, when asked about the situation, expressed gratitude for the support but remained unfazed by the absence of an extension. “We’re just so busy this time of year," he said.
"The season went longer, which is cool, but the offseason gets condensed. We’ve been rolling.
That is really cool, but it will happen when it happens. I’m not too worried about it.
We have a lot going on this offseason.”
With NFL free agency looming next month and the draft following in April, the Broncos have a packed agenda. These upcoming events could provide the perfect backdrop for solidifying Paton's future with the team once the offseason frenzy subsides.